Celebrities
Astrophysicist to bartender: Neil deGrasse Tyson’s custom cosmic cocktails
Neil deGrasse Tyson is largely considered one of the smarted brains on this planet for his ability to explain complicated matters of the world in ways that are both entertaining to listen to and easy to understand.
As the guy who can make discussing fuel cell water interesting (it tastes just like regular water!), Zap2it couldn’t wait to attend Tyson’s wine tasting party at National Geographic’s event at San Diego Comic-Con. As he drank a tall glass of iced water garnished with no less than five lime wedges in between drinks, we were surprised to discover that the entire signature cocktail menu that evening was concocted by Tyson himself.
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Of course, we shouldn’t be so surprised. There’s little that this neuroscientist can’t do. Tyson can explain why it’s easier to cook a souffle in space (zero gravity means it won’t collapse!) or why humans can’t stay awake forever (sleep is time required for the brain to solidify the information it wants to keep) can probably make a mean cocktail. And we can attest, Tyson knows his liquor!
Tyson’s drinks all have witty cosmic-related names, which we think makes them taste even better. Although there is no science behind that fact opinion, we stand by it. So, if you’re planning a party for Nat Geo’s highly anticipated upcoming show “Mars,” the Ron Howard and Brian Grazer executive produced mini-series premiering in November, which is going to be an out-of-this-world scripted series exploring the Red Planet, what better way to celebrate than making NDT approved cocktails?
Here are Zap2it’s three favorite drinks from the “Star Talk” host’s menu:
The Martian Sunrise
Developed with the bartender from the Bell House.
1 1/2 oz. rum
4 oz. cranberry juice
1 oz. orange juice
Lemon slice for garnish
Fill a highball glass with ice, coming ingredients. Prop lemon slice on the rim to to represent the sun.
The Robot Cocktail
Also, developed with the bartender from the Bell House.
A splash of soda water
1/2 glass of pineapple juice
3-count of Grand Marnier
Simply pour all the ingredients over ice in that order and drink up!
The Brain Freeze
Developed with help from Brian Ponce, partner at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
2 oz. vodka
A splash of triple sec
A splash of lime juice
A splash of cranberry juice
A splash of pineapple juice
Fill 2/3 of a tumbler with ice; add all the ingredient. Shake it up, then strain contents into a martini glass. Tyson suggest garnishing the beverage with a slice of lime to pay homage to the fact that there are no green stars.